DOCSLIB.ORG

The History of the Fabian Society

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The History of the Fabian Society Cornell University Library HX 11.F5P4 The history of the Fabian society. mil' iniiiii ninillllil 3 1924 002 405 599 THE LIBRARY OF THE NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924002405599 The History of the Fabian Society. Cornell University Library HX 11.F5P4 The history of the Fabian society. 3 1924 002 405 599 The History of the Fabian Society By Edward R. Pease Secretary for Twenty-five Years With Twelve Illustrations NEW YORK EP-DUTTON & COMPANY PUBLISHERS Preface THE History of the Fabian Society will perhaps chiefly interest the members, present and past, of the Society. But in so far as this book describes the growth of Socialist theory in England, and the influence of Socialism on the political thought of the last thirty years, I hope it will appeal to a wider circle. I have described in my book the care with which the Fabian Tracts have been revised and edited by members of the Executive Committee. Two of my colleagues, Sidney Webb and Bernard Shaw, have been good enough to revise this volume in like manner, and I have to thank them for innumerable corrections in style, countless suggestions of better words and phrases, and a number of amphfications and additions, some of which I have accepted without specific acknowledgment, whilst others for one reason or another are to be found in notes; and I am par- ticularly grateful to Bernard Shaw for two valuable memoranda on the history of Fabian Economics, and on Guild Socialism, which are printed as an appendix. The MS. or proofs have also been read by Mrs. Sidney Webb, Mrs. Bernard Shaw, Sir Sydney Olivier, 6 Preface Graham Wallas, W. Stephen Sanders, and R. C. K. Ensor, to each of whom my cordial thanks are due for suggestions, additions, and corrections. To Miss Bertha Newcombe I am obliged for per- mission to reproduce the interesting sketch which forms the frontispiece. E. R. P. The Pendicle, LiMPSFIELD, Surrey, January, 19 16. — Contents Chapter I The Sources of Fabian Socialism PAGE The ideas of the early eighties—^The epoch of Evolution —Sources of Fabian ideas—Positivism—Henry George —John Stuart Mill—Robert Owen—Karl Marx—The Democratic Federation—" The Christian Socialist " Thomas Davidson 13 Chapter II The Foundations of the Society : 1883-4 Frank Podmore and Ghost-hunting—^Thomas Davidson and his circle—^The preliminary meetings—The Fellowship of the New Life—Formation of the Society —^The career of the New Fellowship . .28 Chapter III The Early Days : 1884-6 The use of the word Socialism—Approval of the Deiho- cratic Federation—^Tract No. i —^The Fabian Motto Bernard Shaw joins—^His first Tract—^The Industrial Remuneration Conference—Sidney Webb and Sydney Olivier become members—^Mrs. Annie Besant Shaw's second Tract—The Tory Gold controversy " What Socialism Is "—^The Fabian Conference of 1886 —Sidney Webb's first contribution, " The Govern- ment Organisation of Unemployed Labour " . 37 — 8 Contents Chapter IV The Formation of Fabian Policy: 1886-9 FAGB of ; the men who The factors of success ; priority date made it—The controversy over policy—^The Fabian " Parliamentary League—" Facts for SociaUsts —^The adoption of the Basis—^The seven Essapsts in com- mand—Lord Haldane—^The " Essays " as Lectures How to train for Public Life—Fabians on the London " School Board—" Facts for Londoners —Municipal " Socialism—" The Eight Hours Bill . .60 Chapter V " Fabian Essays" and the Lancashire Campaign: 1890-3 " Fabian Essays " published—Astonishing success—^A new presentation of Socialism—Reviewed after twenty- five years—Henry Hutchinson—^The Lancashire Cam- — " paign—Mrs. Besant withdraws " Fabian News . 86 Chapter VI "To your tents, O Israel": 1894-1900 Progress of the Society—^The Independent Labour Party—^Local Fabian Societies—University Fabian Societies—^London Groups and Samuel Butler—The first Fabian Conference—^Tracts and Lectures—The 1892 Election Manifesto—^The Newcastle Program The Fair Wages Policy—The " Fortnightly " article The Intercepted Letter of 1906 .... 101 Chapter VII " Fabianism and the Empire" : 1900-I The Library and Book Boxes—Parish Councils—^The Workmen's Compensation Act—The Hutclunson Trust—^The London School of Economics—Educa- tional Lectures—Electoral Policy—^The controversy over the South African War—The publication of " Fabianism and the Empire " . .120 2 —A Contents 9 Chapter VIII Education : 1902-5, and the Labour Party : 1900-15 Housing—" The Education muddle and the way out "— ""^ge Supporting the Conservatives—The Education Acts of 1902 and 1903—Feeding School Children—^The Labour Representation Committee formed—^The Fabian Election Fund—^Will Crooks elected in 1910— Fabian Cabinet Minister—Resignation of Graham Wallas—The younger generation : H. W. Macrosty, J. F. Oakeshott, John W. Martin—Municipal Drink Trade—^Tariff Reform—^The Decline of the Birth-rate 139 Chapter IX The Episode of Mr. Wells : 1906-8 His lecture on administrative areas—" Faults of the Fabian "—^The Enquiry Committee—The Report, and the Reply—^The real issue. Wells v. Shaw—^The women intervene—^The Basis altered—The new Executive—^Mr. Wells withdraws—His work for Socialism—The writing of Fabian Tracts . .163 Chapter X The Policy of Expansion: 1 907- 1 Statistics of growth—^The psychology of the Recruit Famous Fabians—The Arts Group—^The Nursery The Women's Group—Provincial Fabian Societies University Fabian Societies—^London Groups revived —Annual Conferences—^The Summer School—^The story of " Socialist Unity "—The Local Government Information Bureau—The Joint Standing Committee —Intervention of the International Socialist Bureau i8j Chapter XI The Minority Report, Syndicalism and Research : 1909-15 The emergence of Mrs. Sidney Webb—The Poor Law Commission—The Minority Report—Unemployment —The National Committee for the Prevention of —— lo Contents rAGB Destitution—" Vote against the House of Lords " Bernard Shaw retires—Death of Hubert Bland Opposition to the National Insurance Bill—The Fabian Reform Committee—The " New Statesman " — " —^The Research Department " The Rural Problem " The Control of Industry— "—Syndicalism—The Guildsmen—^Final Statistics ^The War . .212 Chapter XII The Lessons of Thirty Years Breaking the spell of Marxism—A French verdict Origin of Revisionism in Germany—^The British School of Socialism—Mr. Ernest Barker's summary Mill versus Marx—^The Fabian Method—^Making Socialists or making Socialism—^The life of propa- gandist societies—^The prospects of Socialist Unity The future of Fabian ideas—^The test of Fabian success ........ 235 Appendix I A. On the History of Fabian Economics. By Bernard Shaw 258 B. On Guild Socialism. By Bernard Shaw . 265 Appendix II The Basis of the Fabian Society .... 269 Appendix III List of the names and the years of office of the ninety-six members of the Executive Committee, 1884-1915 . 270 Appendix IV Complete List of Fabian publications, 1884-1915, with names of authors ...... 273 Index 285 Illustrations frontispiece, from a drawing by Miss Bertha Newcombe in i8gs The Seven Essayists Mrs. Annie Besant From a photograph 86 Hubert Bland William Clarke . (Sir) Sydney Olivier G. Bernard Shaw Graham Wallas . Sidney Webb Edward R. Pease Frank Podmore . Mrs. Sidney Webb H. G. Welis — The History of the Fabian Society Chapter I The Sources of Fabian Socialism The ideas of the early eighties—^The epoch of Evolution Sources of Fabian ideas—Positivism—Henry George John Stuart Mill—Robert Owen—Karl Marx—The Demo- — " cratic Federation " The Christian Socialist —Thomas Davidson. " T)RITAIN as a whole never was more tranquil fj and happy," said the " Spectator," then the organ of sedate Liberalism and enlightened Progress, in the summer of 1882. " No class is at war with society or the government : there is no disaffection anywhere, the Treasury is fairly full, the accumulations of capital are vast " ; and then the writer goes on to compare Great Britain with Ireland, at that time under the iron heel of coercion, with Pamell and hundreds of his followers in jail, whilst outrages and murders, like those of Maamtrasma, were almost everyday occurrences. Some of the problems of the early eighties are with us yet. Ireland is still a bone of contention between poUtical parties : the Channel tunnel is no nearer completion ; and then as now, when other topics are 13 14 History of the Fabian Society exhausted, the " Spectator " can fill up its columns with Thought Transference and Psychical Research. But other problems which then were vital, are now almost forgotten. Electric lighting was a doubtful novelty : Mr. Bradlaugh's refusal to take the oath excited a controversy which now seems incredible. Robert Louis Stevenson can no longer be adequately described as an " accomplished writer," and the introduction of female clerks into the postal service by Mr. Fawcett has ceased to raise alarm lest the courteous practice of always allowing ladies to be victors in an argument should perforce be abandoned. But in September of the same year we find a cloud on the horizon, the prelude of a coming storm. The Trade Union Congress had just been held and the leaders of the working classes, with apparently but Uttle discussion, had passed a resolution asking the Government to institute an enquiry with a view to relaxing the stringency of Poor Law administration. This, said the " Spectator," is beginning " to tamper with natural conditions." " There is no logical halting-place between the theory that it is the duty of the State to make the poor comfortable, and socialism." Another factor in the thought of those days attracted but little attention in the Press, though there is a long article in the " Spectator" at the beginning of 1882.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fabian Society
    SOS POLITICAL SCIENCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION M.A POLITICAL SCIENCE II SEM POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY: MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT, THEORY & CONTEMPORARY IDEOLOGIES UNIT-III Topic Name-fabian socialism WHAT IS MEANT BY FABIAN SOCIALISM? • The Fabian Society is a British socialistorganisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies, rather than by revolutionary overthrow WHO STARTED THE FABIAN SOCIETY? • Its nine founding members were Frank Podmore, Edward R. Pease, William Clarke, Hubert Bland, Percival Chubb, Frederick Keddell, H. H. Champion, Edith Nesbit, and Rosamund Dale Owen. WHO IS THE PROPOUNDER OF FABIAN SOCIALISM? • In the period between the two World Wars, the "Second Generation" Fabians, including the writers R. H. Tawney, G. D. H. Cole and Harold Laski, continued to be a major influence on socialistthought. But the general idea is that each man should have power according to his knowledge and capacity. WHAT IS THE FABIAN POLICY? • The Fabian strategy is a military strategy where pitched battles and frontal assaults are avoided in favor of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition and indirection. While avoiding decisive battles, the side employing this strategy harasses its enemy through skirmishes to cause attrition, disrupt supply and affect morale. Employment of this strategy implies that the side adopting this strategy believes time is on its side, but it may also be adopted when no feasible alternative strategy can be devised. HISTORY • This
    [Show full text]
  • The Fabians Could Only Have Happened in Britain....In a Thoroughly Admirable Study the Mackenzies Have Captured the Vitality of the Early Years
    THE famous circle of enthusiasts, reformers, brilliant eccentrics-Sha\y the Webbs, Wells-whose ideas and unconventional attitudes fashioned our modern world by Norman C&Jeanne MacKenzie AUTHORS OF H.G. Wells: A Biography PRAISE FOR Not quite a political party, not quite a pressure group, not quite a debating society, the Fabians could only have happened in Britain....In a thoroughly admirable study the MacKenzies have captured the vitality of the early years. Since much of this is anecdotal, it is immensely fun to read. Most im¬ portant, they have pinpointed (with¬ out belaboring) all the internal para¬ doxes of F abianism. —The Kirkus Reviews H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, Bertrand Russell, part of the outstandingly talented and paradoxical group that led the way to socialist Britain, are brought into brilliant human focus in this marvelously detailed and anecdote-filled por¬ trait of the original members of the Fabian Society—with a fresh assessment of their contributions to social thought. “The first Fabians,” said Shaw, were “missionaries among the savages,” who laid the ground¬ work for the Labour Party, and whose mis¬ sionary zeal and passionate enthusiasms carried them from obscurity to fame. This voluble and volatile band of middle-class in¬ tellectuals grew up in a period of liberating ideas and changing morals, influenced by (continued on back flap) c A / c~ 335*1 MacKenzie* Norman Ian* Ml99f The Fabians / Norman and Jeanne MacKenzie* - New York : Simon and Schuster, cl977* — 446 p** [8] leaves of plates : ill* - ; 24 cm* Includes bibliographical references and index* ISBN 0—671—22347—X : $11.95 1* Fabian Society, London* I* Title.
    [Show full text]
  • The Survey of Fabianism in Britain
    2011 2nd International Conference on Humanities, Historical and Social Sciences IPEDR vol.17 (2011) © (2011) IACSIT Press, Singapore The Survey of Fabianism in Britain Azadeh Sajadi.¹, Dr. Abolfazl Isa Abadi ² and Atefeh Khaqhaniziadeh ³ Affiliation¹ (The teacher of education organizaition in komijan area-Iran) Affiliation² (The master at at payame noor university in komijan area-Iran ) Affiliation³(The master at payame noor university in komijan area-Iran). Abstract. our purpose in this research is to examination nature, actions and history of Fabian groups. our method in this research is Document method and the reaching a conclusion of research is that Fabian groups refer to Britain's socialists intellectual movement whose purpose is transforming gradually socialism into state reforms. They try to put pressure on government to change social security and other policies. Fabian method assented to the main concept of capitalism and they assumed that they could achieve a greater collective ownership system and socialism through parliamentary reform. After war main changes included comprehensive national security and international aid. monetary contribution, more worldwide pension , indemnification for industrial lossed and providing international health services. Fabian socialism is basically a design to bring exchange and production organizations under, the government control, the objective is civil services. It shows that they were keen on organization rather than people and started to work with clear thoughts about systematizing and improving state system. they assumes people and government the same key words: Fabian, socialism, security, services, production 1. Introduction Fabian groups1 purpose is to advance socialist through reformists rather than revolutionaries .The basis Fabian theories is the result of Marxism and Liberalism influence The formed , Fabians rejected Marxist theory group conflicts and capitalism over throw but supported improved quality through group ownership and democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origins and Development of the Fabian Society, 1884-1900
    Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 1986 The Origins and Development of the Fabian Society, 1884-1900 Stephen J. O'Neil Loyola University Chicago Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation O'Neil, Stephen J., "The Origins and Development of the Fabian Society, 1884-1900" (1986). Dissertations. 2491. https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/2491 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Copyright © 1986 Stephen J. O'Neil /11/ THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FABIAN SOCIETY, 1884-1900 by Stephen J. O'Neil A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Loyola University of Chicago in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 1986 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work is the product of research over several years' span. Therefore, while I am endebted to many parties my first debt of thanks must be to my advisor Dr. Jo Hays of the Department of History, Loyola University of Chicago; for without his continuing advice and assistance over these years, this project would never have been completed. I am also grateful to Professors Walker and Gutek of Loyola who, as members of my dissertation committee, have also provided many sug­ gestions and continual encouraqement in completing this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Fabianism, Permeation and Independent Labour
    UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Previously Published Works Title Fabianism, Permeation and Independent Labour Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3s4368vt Journal Historical Journal, 39 Author Bevir, Mark Publication Date 1996 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California FABIANISM, PERMEATION AND INDEPENDENT LABOUR By MARK BEVIR Department of Politics The University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU 1 ABSTRACT The leading Fabians held different versions of permeation: Shaw saw permeation in terms of weaning the Radicals away from the Liberal Party, so he favoured an independent party; Webb defined permeation in terms of the giving of expert advice to a political elite without any need for a new party. These varieties of permeation can be traced in the individual and collective actions of the Fabians, and, in particular, in their attitude to the formation of the Independent Labour Party (I.L.P.). The Fabians did not simply promote the I.L.P. nor did they simply oppose the I.L.P. 2 FABIANISM, PERMEATION AND INDEPENDENT LABOUR Introduction Historians have long debated the extent to which the Fabian Society acted as John the Baptist to the Labour Party. The Fabians presented themselves as the single most important group in winning for socialism a foothold on British soil: they replaced the alien creed of Marxism with a gradualist constitutionalism suited to British traditions, and their evolutionary brand of socialism precipitated the Labour Party, albeit by way of the Independent Labour Party (I.L.P.). 1 Recent years, however, have seen the triumph of revisionists, inspired in large part by the scholarship of Professors Hobsbawm and McBriar, who dismiss the Fabians as vehemently as Shaw once extolled their virtues.
    [Show full text]
  • To Download Notes for Schools
    A superb musical theatre adaptation of E. Nesbit's quintessentially English classic. An idyllic family Christmas in an affluent London suburb is interrupted by a knock at the door. Affable Station Master, Mr Perk’s, recounts the story of a young Edwardian family, whose lives have been irrevocably changed by a set of unforeseen circumstances. When Foreign Office Civil Servant, Charles Waterbury is imprisoned for selling state secrets, his wife up-sticks, moving her children to Three Chimneys Cottage, Somerset. Discovering a railway near their new home is just the beginning of a series of adventures for the Westbury Children Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and young Phyllis. The Railway becomes the source of friendships, love, dramas and reunifications, as the Westbury family embed themselves in the heart of their new community, fighting for justice and to clear their family name. Julian Woolford's and Richard John's musical brings a masterful emotional depth to this rite of passage story, that follows the story’s protagonist Bobbie as she transitions from an innocent youth to a responsible, politicised adult. Woolford and John’s adaptation features heartfelt ballads, stirring choral numbers and tuneful melodies. Notes for Schools Thank you for booking to see The Railway Children at The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre this Christmas. This resource is to support your visit to our show, and provide you with additional creative and cross-curricular ideas to enhance your teaching. It is put together with teachers in mind and we hope it will inspire your lessons in the lead up to watching. There are 5 sections: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LESSER FABIANS. By: Eric Hobsbawm. Probably No Part of The
    -1- THE LESSER FABIANS. By: Eric Hobsbawm. Probably no part of the modern British socialist movement has attracted so much research since the war as the early Fabian Society. There are a number of doctorate theses about it in print and in typescript. Mrs. Margaret Cole has recently published what amounts to its new official history. The numerous historians who have studied the origins and early years of the Labour Party, have also had their say about it. Consequently the general nature of the Fabians and their contribution to the labour movement before the first world war - after 1914 it ceases to be of any importance for some decades - is by now quite well understood. We know that there is no truth in several myths propagated by the first official Fabian history, Edward Pease's. The Fabians did not start as a gradualist movement, but only developed into one towards the end of the l880s, largely under the influence of Sidney Webb and his 'old gang', which dominated the society thereafter. They were in no sense the pioneers of the Labour Party. On the contrary, they put their money on the 'permeation' of the Liberal Party and at certain moments sections of the imperialists and higher civil servants. They opposed the formation of the ILP, missed the opportunity of leading the movement for an independent labour party, and though they joined the Labour Representation Committee, they almost resigned from it in the early years, and paid no attention to the young Labour Party until the permeation policy had become evidently bankrupt just before 1914.
    [Show full text]
  • Edith Nesbit - Poems
    Classic Poetry Series Edith Nesbit - poems - Publication Date: 2012 Publisher: Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive Edith Nesbit(15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland) was an English author and poet whose children's works were published under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on over 60 books of fiction for children, several of which have been adapted for film and television. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a precursor to the modern Labour Party. <b>Biography</b> Nesbit was born in 1858 at 38 Lower Kennington Lane in Kennington, Surrey (now part of Greater London), the daughter of an agricultural chemist, John Collis Nesbit, who died in March 1862, before her fourth birthday. Her sister Mary's ill health meant that the family moved around constantly for some years, living variously in Brighton, Buckinghamshire, France (Dieppe, Rouen, Paris, Tours, Poitiers, Angoulême, Bordeaux, Arcachon, Pau, Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and Dinan in Brittany), Spain and Germany, before settling for three years at Halstead Hall in Halstead in north-west Kent, a location which later inspired The Railway Children (this distinction has also been claimed by the Derbyshire town of New Mills). When Nesbit was 17, the family moved again, this time back to London, living variously in South East London at Eltham, Lewisham, Grove Park and Lee. A follower of William Morris, 19-year-old Nesbit met bank clerk Hubert Bland in 1877. Seven months pregnant, she married Bland on 22 April 1880, though she did not immediately live with him, as Bland initially continued to live with his mother.
    [Show full text]
  • The Marxism of George Bernard Shaw 1883-1889
    THE MARXISM OF GEORGE BERNARD SHAW 1883 -1889 By MARK BEVIR To 1 January 2000: Department of Politics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK. [Email: [email protected]] From 1 Jan 2000: Department of Political Science, Un iversity of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1950, USA 1 ABSTRACT Although Shaw’s biographers always acknowledge his debt to Marx, intellectual historians always seem to belittle this debt. This gap can be closed by placing Shaw's Marxism in its contemporary context - Shaw shared most of the Marxist beliefs of the members of the Social Democratic Federation. A study of Shaw's Marxism shows that he was not an anarchist, that secularism played an important role in his thought, and that George's intellectual influence was not as great as is normally thought. Shaw rejected Marxism when he turned to Jevonian economics but even then much of his Marxism remained in tact and divided him from other leading Fabians. THE MARXISM OF GEORGE BERNARD SHAW 1883 -1889 1 I All of Shaw's biographers recognise the importance of Marxism for his intellectual development in the 1880s. 2 In 1911, Henderson wrote of Das Kapital that no book "influenced Shaw so much." 3 Pearson later claimed that Das Kapital "changed his [Shaw's] outlook, directed his energy, influenced his art, gave him a religion, and, as he claimed, made a man of him." 4 Most recently, Holroyd has said that "it seemed to him [Shaw] that Marx was 'a giant and a genius', who was to change the world more fundamentally than Jesus or Mahomet." 5 Here Shaw's biographers merely echo Shaw who claimed that his last novel was "pure Marx" and that "Marx made me a socialist." 6 Yet those intellectual historians who study Shaw's development during the 1880s downplay his Marxi sm.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fabian Socialists and Law As an Instrument of Social Progress: the Promise of Gradual Justice
    St. John's Law Review Volume 62 Number 2 Volume 62, Winter 1988, Number 2 Article 1 The Fabian Socialists and Law as an Instrument of Social Progress: The Promise of Gradual Justice Elliott M. Abramson Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/lawreview This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in St. John's Law Review by an authorized editor of St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ST. JOHN'S LAW REVIEW VOLUME 62 WINTER 1988 NUMBER 2 THE FABIAN SOCIALISTS AND LAW AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL PROGRESS: THE PROMISE OF GRADUAL JUSTICE ELLIOTT M. ABRAMSON* I. INTRODUCTION On January 4, 1884, in a London meeting at 17 Osnaburgh Street, attended by approximately fourteen people, the Fabian So- ciety was formally organized.1 A resolution adopted at the meeting, expressive of the purposes of these individuals in organizing the Society, read: The members of the Society assert that the Competitive system assures the happiness and comfort of the few at the expense of the suffering of the many and that Society must be reconstituted in such a manner as to secure the general welfare and happiness.2 The aim was to bring social improvement to English society and emphasize values which were basically spiritual and moral over those accentuating acquisitiveness and materialism. In time, the Society came to number among its members such eminent Britons as H.G.
    [Show full text]
  • The Project Gutenberg Ebook of the History of the Fabian Society, by Edward R. Pease
    The History of the Fabian Society By Edward R. Pease Secretary for Twenty-five Years With Twelve Illustrations NEW YORK E.P. DUTTON & COMPANY PUBLISHERS Preface The History of the Fabian Society will perhaps chiefly interest the members, present and past, of the Society. But in so far as this book describes the growth of Socialist theory in England, and the influence of Socialism on the political thought of the last thirty years, I hope it will appeal to a wider circle. I have described in my book the care with which the Fabian Tracts have been revised and edited by members of the Executive Committee. Two of my colleagues, Sidney Webb and Bernard Shaw, have been good enough to revise this volume in like manner, and I have to thank them for innumerable corrections in style, countless suggestions of better words and phrases, and a number of amplifications and additions, some of which I have accepted without specific acknowledgment, whilst others for one reason or another are to be found in notes; and I am particularly grateful to Bernard Shaw for two valuable memoranda on the history of Fabian Economics, and on Guild Socialism, which are printed as an appendix. The MS. or proofs have also been read by Mrs. Sidney Webb, Mrs. Bernard Shaw, Sir Sydney Olivier, Graham Wallas, W. Stephen Sanders, and R.C.K. Ensor, to each of whom my cordial thanks are due for suggestions, additions, and corrections. To Miss Bertha Newcombe I am obliged for permission to reproduce the interesting sketch which forms the frontispiece.
    [Show full text]
  • Proquest Dissertations
    The operation of necessity: Intellectual affiliation and social thought in Rebecca West's nonfiction Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Harris, Kathryn M. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 07/10/2021 06:00:19 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/282888 THE OPERATION OF NECESSITY: INTELLECTUAL AFFILIATION AND SOCIAL THOUGHT IN REBECCA WEST'S NONFICTION by Kathryn Harris Copyright © Kathryn Harris 2005 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the Graduate College 2005 UMI Number: 3177527 Copyright 2005 by Harris, Kathryn All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 3177527 Copyright 2005 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O.
    [Show full text]